Research That Matters Podcast - A Global Deep Dive
Episode 14: Bridging Theory and Practice: The Vision and Action Plan of the ISTR Research for Practice Affinity Group
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Publication Date
2-9-2026
Description
Research for Practice, nonprofit innovation, bridging theory and practice, pracademics, ISTR, applied nonprofit research, researcher–practitioner collaboration
In this episode of Making a Difference: A Research for Practice Podcast, we unpack Bridging Theory and Practice: The Vision and Action Plan of the ISTR Research for Practice Affinity Group, a foundational article from the Journal of Nonprofit Innovation. This conversation explores why the gap between nonprofit research and real-world practice persists—and what it actually takes to close it.
Drawing on global perspectives from scholars and practitioners involved in the International Society for Third Sector Research (ISTR), the episode highlights the growing “pracademic” movement, the value of co-created knowledge, and concrete strategies for making research more accessible, relevant, and usable for nonprofit leaders. From matchmaking researchers with practitioners to rethinking publishing, funding, and training models, this episode offers a roadmap for turning research into action.
Whether you’re a nonprofit leader, researcher, funder, or practitioner working on the ground, this episode invites you to rethink how research is produced, shared, and applied—and how collaboration across sectors can lead to stronger impact and more equitable outcomes.
Recommended Citation
Holzer, Angie; Dayson, Christopher; Doan, Dana; Quinn, Patricia; Hadi, Tayyeb; Gartner, Michele Fugiel; Berk-Clark, Carissa van den; Sanchez, Ana Maria; Muhammad, Farouq Aliyu; Farías, Romina; and Einolf, Christopher, "Episode 14: Bridging Theory and Practice: The Vision and Action Plan of the ISTR Research for Practice Affinity Group" (2026). Research That Matters Podcast - A Global Deep Dive. 14.
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/joni_podcast/14
Comments
This podcast episode is based on the article “Bridging Theory and Practice: The Vision and Action Plan of the ISTR Research for Practice Affinity Group,” published in the Journal of Nonprofit Innovation, Volume 5, Issue 3 (Special Edition: Research for Practice, September 2025). The audio version of this episode was created using Google’s NotebookLM to transform the published research into an accessible podcast format, making practitioner-focused research easier to engage with beyond the written page.
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/joni/vol5/iss3/5/